Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah faces internal party pressure over cabinet expansion delay

Nearly two years after taking office, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is facing growing demands from within his National Conference (NC) party to expand his cabinet. The delay has also drawn criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has alleged that the expansion is being avoided due to internal divisions.

At present, the council of ministers has five members, including Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary. Under the norms, the strength of the council cannot exceed 10% of the total assembly strength. With 90 members in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the maximum cabinet size is nine, leaving three berths vacant.

A senior NC member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “If you are not going ahead with the expansion, it only lends credence to BJP’s claims that NC is one cabinet expansion away from implosion. If only to call BJP’s bluff, you should go ahead with the cabinet expansion.” Another NC legislator from Srinagar echoed the view, asking: “If the CM will not do it now, then when?”

The disquiet comes weeks after many NC members stressed the expansion demand at a party meeting in Srinagar’s Dachigam National Park on June 3. During the meeting, some legislators expressed lack of confidence in the performance of certain ministers, who currently handle multiple portfolios.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was sworn in on October 16, 2024, along with five ministers. The current portfolio allocation includes: Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary handles public works, industries and commerce, mining, labour and skill development; Sakeena Itoo manages health and medical education, school education, higher education and social welfare; Javed Ahmed Rana oversees water resources, forest, environment and tribal affairs; Javid Ahmad Dar is responsible for agriculture, panchayati raj and cooperatives; and Satish Sharma deals with food, consumer affairs, transport, science, IT, youth affairs, sports, and training.

Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Sunil Sharma reiterated claims that the NC will “implode” if the cabinet is expanded. “The chief minister has failed to expand his cabinet for nearly two years. If he is not able to do so, how can you expect justice from him,” Sharma said.

Officially, the NC has stated that the cabinet expansion and its timing are at the discretion of the Chief Minister. Party chief spokesperson and MLA Tanvir Sadiq emphasised the “prerogative of the CM” and said a decision would be taken when appropriate, without offering reasons for the delay.